Lifeline Ballarat volunteer recognised for outstanding achievement

July 20, 2018

Denise has volunteered with Lifeline Ballarat for ten years. She is this year’s Victorian State Finalist for the Mary Parsissons Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award at the national Lifeline conference.

Denise says she was shocked when she found out she had been awarded State Finalist.

“I was gobsmacked! I wondered why me? There are so many more deserving volunteers than me. Truthfully, I did not expect to be a state finalist. This is a real honour as I love what I do for Lifeline.”

“This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the extraordinary 10 years of service Denise has given to Lifeline and to Lifeline Ballarat,” said the head of Uniting’s services in Ballarat, Sean Duffy.

“Denise shines a light for Lifeline whenever possible through attending community events and as a role model for all of our volunteers and staff.”

Over the past ten years, Denise has taken on extra duties including that of Supervisor On Call, Student Mentor, Strategic Committee member and Group Facilitator.

“It’s a privilege to share people’s lives,” said Denise “It is humbling to be part of the caller’s experience as they invite you into challenging parts of their life.”

“Our callers show incredible strength in extremely difficult times. Our job as a Crisis Supporter is to help them to dig deep and recognise their inner strengths through their life experience. With empowerment comes a sense of control over the situation. When you hear the caller say ‘Thank you, I think I can do this now’ you know you have made a difference. That is the real reward for me.”